Electrokymographic density of the left atrium correlated with cinefluorography in functional mitral regurgitation related to prolonged diastasis.

In dogs electrokymographic densograms (EKY) of the atria were obtained during left intraventricular injection of x-ray contrast material while the heart was in vagal asystole. X-ray cinematography was carried out simultaneously. Both EKY and cinematography coupled with continuous visual observation demonstrated regurgitation through normal mitral valves when diastasis is prolonged. The character of the EKY curve obtained under these experimental conditions is described. Submitted on September 17, 1957